Questions tagged [model-theory]
Model theory is the branch of mathematical logic which deals with the connection between a formal language and its interpretations, or models.
312
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
36
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Rigid non-archimedean real closed fields
Question. Is there a countable rigid non-Archimedean real closed field?
Background:
As usual, a structure is said to be rigid if the only automorphism of the structure is the identity map.
It is ...
33
votes
0
answers
2k
views
Defining $\mathbb{Z}$ in $\mathbb{Q}$
It was proved by Poonen that $\mathbb{Z}$ is definable in the structure $(\mathbb{Q}, +, \cdot, 0, 1)$ using $\forall \exists$ formula. Koenigsmann has shown that $\mathbb{Z}$ is in fact definable by ...
27
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Where do uncountable models collapse to?
Suppose $T$ is a complete first-order theory (in an finite, or at worst countable, language). Given any model $\mathcal{M}\models T$ of cardinality $\kappa$, we can ask whether $\mathcal{M}$ can be ...
23
votes
0
answers
650
views
CH and automorphisms of ultrapowers of $\mathbb{Z}$ and $\mathbb{R}$
Notation and motivation. Given an algebraic structure $\mathbb{M}$ of cardinality at most the continuum and with countably many operations, and a nonprincipal ultrafilter $\cal{U}$ on a countably ...
19
votes
0
answers
554
views
What algebraic properties are preserved by $\mathbb{N}\leadsto\beta\mathbb{N}$?
Given a binary operation $\star$ on $\mathbb{N}$, we can naturally extend $\star$ to a semicontinuous operation $\widehat{\star}$ on the set $\beta\mathbb{N}$ of ultrafilters on $\mathbb{N}$ as ...
19
votes
0
answers
791
views
"Compactness for computability" - does it ever happen?
Throughout, "computable structure" means "first-order structure in a computable language with domain $\omega$ whose atomic diagram is computable."
Say that a computable structure $...
19
votes
0
answers
918
views
What is the Cantor-Bendixson rank of the space of first order theories?
Let $L$ be the language $\{R\}$ containing a single binary relation symbol. Consider the space $S_0(L)$ of complete, first-order $L$-theories. This is a seperable, compact Hausdorff space; what is its ...
17
votes
0
answers
334
views
Ado's theorem and the reduction to positive characteristic
The synopsis: proofs of Ado theorem in positive characteristic are simple, and in characteristic $0$ are difficult. Can one infer the characteristic $0$ case from the positive characteristic case?
The ...
17
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Non-rigid ultrapowers in $\mathsf{ZFC}$?
Originally asked and bountied at MSE:
Question: Can $\mathsf{ZFC}$ prove that for every countably infinite structure $\mathcal{A}$ in a countable language there is an ultrafilter $\mathcal{U}$ on $\...
17
votes
1
answer
1k
views
How are the two natural ways to define “the category of models of a first-order theory $T$” related?
$\DeclareMathOperator\Mod{Mod}\DeclareMathOperator\Elem{Elem}$Background/Motivation: Inspired by an interesting question by Joel, I’ve been wondering about the relationship between two very natural ...
14
votes
0
answers
415
views
Which functions have all the common $\forall\exists$-properties of continuous functions?
This is an attempt at partial progress towards this question. Meanwhile, Sam Sanders pointed out that my original term was already in use, as were a couple other back-up terms, so ... oh well.
For a ...
14
votes
0
answers
491
views
The Ax-Kochen isomorphism theorem and the continuum hypothesis
Let's recall that:
(1): The Ax-Kochen principle says that if $\mathcal{U}$ is a non-principal ultrafilter over prime numbers, then $\prod_{\mathbb{U}} \mathbb{F}_p((t)) \equiv \prod_{\mathbb{U}} \...
14
votes
0
answers
391
views
O-minimality and forcing
It is well-known that the structure $(\mathbb{R}, +, \cdot, <, 0, 1)$ is an o-minimal structure and hence the set of integers $\mathbb{Z}$ is not definable in it.
In an ongoing project with Will ...
14
votes
1
answer
582
views
On certain order-automorphisms of the rationals
Consider the rationals $\mathbb{Q}$ with the usual order $\leq$. Now let $A$ be a subset of $\mathbb{Q}$, such that foreseen with the induced order $\leq$, $(A,\leq)$ is a dense linear order.
...
13
votes
0
answers
311
views
When does HSP reduce to SPH?
This is actually a poorly camouflaged attempt to use the answers to When is the opposite of the category of algebras of a Lawvere theory extensive? (all very interesting) for the purposes of my ...
13
votes
0
answers
679
views
Applications of Set theory vs. model theory in mathematics
I have a question that has occupied my mind for some time.
Let's first consider applications of set theory and model theory in mathematics.
Major applications of set theory are in topology, Banach ...
13
votes
0
answers
226
views
Is there a finite equational basis for the join of the commutative and associative equations?
I asked this on math stack exchange, but I was told to post it on mathoverflow. Consider the lattice of equational theories of a single binary operation $*$. The meet of the theory axiomatized by the ...
13
votes
0
answers
1k
views
Hrushovski's Construction
Zilber expressed a conjecture for $\aleph_{1}$- categorical theories (In the 80s).
Zilber's Conjecture: The geometry of any $\aleph_{1}$- categorical structure is one of the following:
(a) Trivial (...
12
votes
0
answers
473
views
Why is it so hard to give examples of differentially closed fields?
The theory of algebraically closed field, say in characteristic zero, and of differentially closed fields (of characteristic zero) have much in common: quantifier elimination and (hence) decidability; ...
12
votes
0
answers
316
views
Sentences preserved under inverse limits
One of the classical theorems of model theory is the Chang-Łos-Suszko preservation theorem that states that the theories formulated in FOL (first order logic) that are preserved under direct limits (...
12
votes
0
answers
240
views
Is there a characterization of the class of first-order formulas that are closed in every compact Hausdorff structure?
Fix a relational language $\mathcal{L}$. (I don't think relational really matters that much but I don't want to worry about it.) A topological $\mathcal{L}$-structure is an $\mathcal{L}$-structure $M$ ...
12
votes
0
answers
460
views
A question concerning model theory of groups
Several days ago, Professor Martin Bridson gave a very nice talk in my department. Some questions concerning his talk came into my brain Since I am neither a model theorist nor a algebraist, I am not ...
12
votes
0
answers
276
views
Is there a Rado category?
The Rado graph appears to have a nice universality property (it contains all finite and all countably infinite graphs as induced subgraphs) and homogeinety property (any isomorphism between finite/...
11
votes
0
answers
423
views
Example of $\aleph_1$-categorical linear order
Is it possible to have an $L_{\omega_1,\omega}$-sentence $\phi$ in a vocabulary that includes $<$ that satisfies the following?
$<$ is a linear order on a definable subset;
$\phi$ is $\aleph_1$-...
11
votes
0
answers
269
views
Maximality of linear orders in the Keisler order on theories
Recently Malliaris and Shelah (see their preprint http://math.uchicago.edu/~mem/Malliaris-Shelah-CST.pdf) have shown that theories with $SOP_2$ are maximal in the Keisler order. A preceding result of ...
11
votes
0
answers
507
views
Using Lindstrom's theorem to prove Craig interpolation
[EDIT: The theorem I call "Beth definability" below is apparently not generally called that (wikipedia notwithstanding; see https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/288450/two-forms-of-beths-theorem). ...
10
votes
0
answers
361
views
Can one define in ZFC a directed system of embeddings on the class of all linear orders realizing the surreal line as the direct limit?
Consider the surreal line $\langle\newcommand\No{\text{No}}\No,\leq\rangle$, in its order structure only. This is a proper class linear order, which is universal for all set-sized linear orders, as ...
10
votes
0
answers
255
views
Classifying cohomology
In his 1973 topos seminar in Buffalo (the tapes are now freely available online!), Grothendieck said:
The cohomology of a topos associated to an algebraic structure should be called the "...
10
votes
0
answers
319
views
Extending models of topological set theory
$\mathsf{GPK_\infty^+}$ is an alternative set theory in which we have comprehension for formulas which are positive in a certain sense; see the SEP article for more detail (or this MO post, which ...
10
votes
0
answers
316
views
Definability up to isomorphism versus definability of an isomorphic copy
Question: Is it provable in ZFC that every structure that is ordinal definable up to isomorphism has an ordinal definable isomorphic copy? If not, what are some counterexamples? All structures are ...
10
votes
0
answers
398
views
Equational theory in the signature (+,*,0,1) of sedenions and beyond
Consider a Cayley-Dickson algebra $(X,+,∗,0,1)$, that is an algebra generated from the reals by the Cayley-Dickson construction. From complexes to quaternions, we lose commutativity of multiplication, ...
10
votes
0
answers
226
views
Is there an expansion of $(\mathbb{N},+,<)$ by a pairing function that is still NIP?
I was told once that there is a theory consisting of just a pairing function that is stable, although I cannot find a reference for it. This motivated my question, which is essentially the title, ...
10
votes
0
answers
255
views
Collapsing the Linear Time Hierarchy and finite axiomatizability of bounded arithmetic
It is well known that if ${\bf T_2}$ (or $I\Delta_0+\Omega_1$) is finitely axiomatizable, then the Polynomial Hierarchy collapses.
Q. Is there any similar relation between $I\Delta_0$ and Linear ...
10
votes
0
answers
507
views
Riemann hypothesis in Zilber's field
Question. What is known about the situation (truth or falsity) of Riemann hypothesis in the Zilber's field?
10
votes
0
answers
241
views
Two cardinal obstructions
Given a theory $T$ and a formula $\phi(x)$ we say that they admit a $(\kappa, \lambda)$ model if there is a model $M$ such that $|M| = \kappa$ and $|\phi(M)| = \lambda$.
In all examples that I know ...
10
votes
0
answers
349
views
Krull dimension and Morley rank
Definition : A Topological space $\mathcal{D}$ is called noetherian if it satisfies the descending chain condition for closed subsets. We define the dimension of $\mathcal{D}$ to be the supremum of ...
9
votes
0
answers
224
views
Continuum hypothesis analogue for substructures
This question was previously asked and bountied at MSE. Throughout, "theory" means "possibly-incomplete first-order theory in a countable language."
Say that a theory $T$ has CHS (...
9
votes
0
answers
265
views
Is “simplicity is elementary” still hard? (Felgner’s 1990 theorem on simple groups, and subsequent work)
I came across a reference in this MathOverflow answer to an intriguing result of Ulrich Felgner [1]: among finite non-Abelian groups, the property of being simple is first-order definable. According ...
9
votes
0
answers
250
views
Can "$\exists\mathcal{X}(R\cong C(\mathcal{X}))$" be expressed in "large" infinitary second-order logic?
Originally asked and bountied at MSE without success:
Say that a ring $R$ is spatial iff there is some topological space $\mathcal{X}$ such that $R\cong C(\mathcal{X})$, where $C(\mathcal{X})$ is the ...
9
votes
0
answers
455
views
How many steps does it take to "Tarski-Vaughtify" second-order logic?
Given a regular logic $\mathcal{L}$, let $\preccurlyeq_\mathcal{L}$ be the usual elementary submodelhood relation for $\mathcal{L}$. There is also a separate submodelhood relation coming from the ...
9
votes
0
answers
271
views
What logic characterizes relative intrinsic complexity in set recursion?
Short version: Is there an analogue of the Ash-Knight-Manasse-Slaman/Chisholm theorem for $E$-recursion?
Long version: I'm interested in "$E$-recursive structure theory," but it's not ...
9
votes
0
answers
220
views
Is there a ``Ladner's Theorem" for the PH-vs-PSPACE scenario?
Like a statement of the kind, ``If the Polynomial Hierarchy (PH) $\neq$ PSPACE then there exists $L \in PSPACE \backslash PH$ which is not PSPACE-complete"?
Or is there something else that states ...
9
votes
0
answers
245
views
Is there a notion analogous to separability but requiring definable rather than countable sets?
Among models of $\lambda$-calculus, some like the Bohm tree model have the property that every element is a directed sup of definable elements, whereas others like the $D_\infty$ and $P(\omega)$ ...
9
votes
0
answers
362
views
Is there Ultracoproduct-like construction for topological spaces in general?
In
http://arxiv.org/pdf/math/9704205.pdf
they define the ultracoproduct of a sequence of compact Hausdorff spaces, $\sum_\mathcal{U}X_i$ along an ultrafilter $\mathcal{U}$ as the Wallman-Frink ...
9
votes
0
answers
278
views
Uncountable Lüroth problem
Question. Let $F(X)$ be the field obtained by adding an uncountable collection of indeterminates (mutually transcendental elements) to a prime field $F$. Is there an example of a subfield $E$ of $F(X)$...
8
votes
0
answers
136
views
How strong is exponentiation with only open induction? (Or: "how low can we go?")
Do the strongest theories currently known to be unconstrained by Tennenbaum's theorem ($IOpen$ and some modest extensions) remain so when augmented with a definition of exponentiation and axiom $\...
8
votes
0
answers
93
views
Is the hypotenuse operation associative in every Tarski plane?
By a Tarski space I understand a mathematical structure $(X,\mathsf B,\equiv)$ consisting of set $X$, a betweenness relation $\mathsf B\subseteq X^3$ and a congruence relation ${\equiv}\subseteq X^2\...
8
votes
0
answers
238
views
First order formula describing connected components
I ask this question here after no answer came up in the original MathSE question.
Let $\mathcal{L}$ be the language $\{+,-,\cdot,0,1,P\}$ where $P$ is some $n$-ary relation symbol. Is there a formula $...
8
votes
0
answers
164
views
Does determinacy imply unravellability for the Borel sets (over a weak base theory)?
As far as I know, the only way we currently know how to prove Borel determinacy in $\mathsf{ZFC}$ is to go through unravelability (a rather technical property whose definition can be found in Martin's ...
8
votes
0
answers
177
views
Topological Vaught's conjecture for special theories
As is know, Vaught's conjecture is a special case of topological Vaught's conjecture.
On the other hand, the Vaught's conjecture is true for the following theories:
1- $\omega$-stable theories (...